Method and apparatus for treating scoliosis

Abstract

A brace for treating scoliosis, the brace comprising: a lower portion for disposition about the hips of a patient; an upper portion for disposition about the thorax of a patient; a first support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the first support rod being disposed at least in part along one of the front side of the patient and the back side of the patient; a second support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the second support rod being disposed at least in part along one side of the patient; wherein the lower portion, the upper portion, the first support rod and the second sup port rod are configured such that (i) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set substantially parallel to the lower portion, and (ii) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set canted at an angle to the lower portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A brace for treating scoliosis, the brace comprising:
 a lower portion for disposition about the hips of a patient;   an upper portion for disposition about the thorax of a patient;   a first support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the first support rod being disposed at least in part along one of the front side of the patient and the back side of the patient;   a second support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the second support rod being disposed at least in part along one side of the patient;   wherein the lower portion, the upper portion, the first support rod and the second support rod are configured such that (i) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set substantially parallel to the lower portion, and (ii) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set canted at an angle to the lower portion.   
     
     
         2 . A brace for treating scoliosis according to  claim 1  wherein the upper portion is pivotally adjustably mounted to the first support rod. 
     
     
         3 . A brace for treating scoliosis according to  claim 1  wherein the first support rod is disposed to one side of center. 
     
     
         4 . A brace for treating scoliosis according to  claim 1  wherein the first support rod is disposed on center. 
     
     
         5 . A brace for treating scoliosis according to  claim 1  wherein the upper portion is variably adjustably mounted to the second support rod. 
     
     
         6 . A brace for treating scoliosis according to  claim 1  wherein the second support rod is disposed at least in part on the left side of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . A brace for treating scoliosis according to  claim 1  wherein the second support rod is disposed at least in part on the right side of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . A brace for treating scoliosis according to  claim 1  wherein the brace further comprises a cinching mechanism connected to the lower portion and the upper portion for applying forces to the upper portion vis-à-vis the lower portion and for limiting the distance between the upper portion and the lower portion, the cinching mechanism extending at least in part along one side of the patient. 
     
     
         9 . A brace for treating scoliosis according to  claim 8  wherein the cinching mechanism also extends along at least one of the front of the patient and the back of the patient, so as to apply torsion to the patient. 
     
     
         10 . A method for treating scoliosis, the method comprising:
 providing a brace for treating scoliosis, the brace comprising:
 a lower portion for disposition about the hips of a patient; 
 an upper portion for disposition about the thorax of a patient; 
 a first support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the first support rod being disposed at least in part along one of the front side of the patient and the back side of the patient; 
 a second support rod adjustably extending between the lower portion and the upper portion, the second support rod being disposed at least in part along one side of the patient; 
 wherein the lower portion, the upper portion, the first support rod and the second support rod are configured such that (i) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set substantially parallel to the lower portion, and (ii) the upper portion may be adjustably fixedly set canted at an angle to the lower portion; 
   positioning the brace on the patient;   adjustably fixedly setting the upper portion substantially parallel to the lower portion; and   thereafter adjustably fixedly setting the upper portion canted at an angle to the lower portion.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the upper portion is pivotally adjustably mounted to the first support rod. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the first support rod is disposed to one side of center. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the first support rod is disposed on center. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the upper portion is variably adjustably mounted to the second support rod. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the second support rod is disposed at least in part on the left side of the patient. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the second support rod is disposed at least in part on the right side of the patient. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the brace further comprises a cinching mechanism connected to the lower portion and the upper portion for applying forces to the upper portion vis-à-vis the lower portion and for limiting the distance between the upper portion and the lower portion, the cinching mechanism extending along at least in part one side of the patient. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the cinching mechanism also extends along at least one of the front of the patient and the back of the patient, so as to apply torsion to the patient.